Bicycle seat and method for producing a bicycle saddle

ABSTRACT

A bicycle saddle is provided that has a saddle shell, saddle frame, a seat cushion, a support element, and an elastomer body. The seat cushion is on an upper side of the saddle shell. The support element is connected to the saddle frame is also provided. The elastomer body is between the saddle shell and the support element in order to decouple the saddle shell from the support element.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a division of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/754,457filed Feb. 22, 2017, which is a national stage entry of InternationalApplication PCT/EP2016/069970 filed Aug. 24, 2016, which claims benefitunder 35 USC § 119 of German Application DE 20 2015 005 873.6 filed Aug.25, 2015, the entire contents of all of which are incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND 1. Field of the Disclosure

The disclosure relates to a bicycle saddle and to a method for producinga bicycle saddle.

2. Description of the Related Art

Bicycle saddles are connected to a saddle support via a saddle framearranged on a lower side of a saddle shell. A saddle cushion for dampingis arranged on the upper side of the saddle shell. The saddle cushion isnormally covered or overstretched by a cover layer or cover. There are awide variety of different designs for bicycle saddles for improvingcomfort. For instance, gel pads are arranged inside the seat cushion forimproving comfort. Also known is providing damping elements, for examplebetween the saddle frame and the saddle shell, especially in the regionof the saddle back. Many types of bicycle saddles frequently suffer fromthe drawback that comfort is relatively poor and/or the saddles areheavy.

The object of the disclosure is to create a bicycle saddle and/or amethod for producing a bicycle saddle having good comfort properties.

SUMMARY

The bicycle saddle has a saddle shell. The latter is preferably producedfrom a hard plastic. A seat cushion may be connected to the upper sideof the saddle shell, and may be covered by a cover layer. The seatcushion may furthermore have different hardness regions, e.g. differentthickness and/or recesses. In addition, the seat cushion, in particularparts thereof, may be produced from different materials. According tothe disclosure, the bicycle saddle furthermore has a support element.The support element connects to a saddle frame. The saddle frameconnects to a seat post. Where necessary, the seat post may also beconnected directly to the support element. It is furthermore possiblefor the saddle frame to be embodied as a connecting element between theseat post and the support element or to act as a connecting element.

According to the disclosure, an elastomer body is arranged between thesupport element, which is also preferably made of a relatively rigidmaterial, especially plastic, and the saddle shell. This results thesaddle shell bearing the seat cushion being decoupled from the supportelement, which is essentially rigidly connected to the seat post. Thismakes it in particular possible to tilt the saddle shell sideways in thedirection of travel or to tilt the saddle shell about its longitudinalaxis, which is oriented in the direction of travel. This increasescomfort during pedaling, since the saddle shell also follows the pelvicmovements of the user, at least to some extent, or moves synchronouslywith the user's pelvis. This in particular evens out the distribution ofpressure during pedaling. In particular, it is also possible tocompensate asymmetry in the body of the user, such as for instance ashorter leg or misalignment of the hips, using a saddle constructedaccording to the disclosure. This happens automatically based on themovability of the saddle shell relative to the support element. Becauseof this, stresses and pressure points are prevented that occur inparticular during use if the body is asymmetrical.

In the bicycle saddle according to the disclosure, seat comfort ispreferably adjustable using the seat cushion. This may occur inparticular using the selection of the cushion material and/or thegeometric design of the cushion. Thus, different regions may be producedfrom preferably different materials. The material may also be compresseddifferently in different regions, for instance, so that differentcushion zones are created. In addition, recesses and the like may bearranged in the saddle cushion for improving seat comfort. Moreover,because the elastomer body is provided between the saddle shell and thesupport element, there is damping and it is possible to tilt the saddleshell about the longitudinal axis.

The elastomer body is preferably elastically deformable so that arelative movement between the support element and the saddle shell ispermitted. It is in particular possible to provide elastomer bodies madeof different materials for designing saddles with different comfortproperties. The use of foams, such as PU foams, is preferred. Closedpore foams are especially preferred. The elastomer body has inparticular TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) and is particularlypreferably produced from this material. Particularly suitable for thisis the material produced by BASF under the “Infinergy” product name.Methods for producing TPU are described in EP 692 510, WO 00/44821, EP11 74 459 and EP 11 74 458, for instance. It is furthermore preferredthat the elastomer body is produced from EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) orhas EVA. Furthermore, EPP (expanded polypropylene), TPE (thermoplasticelastomers), and EPE (expanded polyethylene) may be used as materials. Acombination of these two materials with one another or a combination ofthe materials with other materials is also possible. This permitsdifferent damping movement properties to be attained in the elastomerbody. It is also possible to use greater compression on said materialsin different regions in order to influence the damping and movementproperties.

The elastomer body an elasticity modulus of 0.1 to 10 MPa, in particular0.1 to 5 MPa, and particularly preferred 0.1 to 1.0 MPa, especially in aseat region of the saddle. The particularly preferred Infinergy E-TPUmaterial has an elasticity modulus of 0.1 to 0.5 MPa. TPE in particularis also a suitable material (E modulus: 1.0 to 2.0 MPa).

The rebound behavior of the elastomer body is preferably in the range ofpreferably greater than 30%, especially greater than 40%, andparticularly preferably greater than 50%.

It is particularly preferred that support element and saddle shell areconnected to one another exclusively via the elastomer body in order toattain good decoupling of support element and saddle shell. A possiblyadditionally provided connection is preferably selected such that itdoes not negatively affect, or only slightly negatively affects, thedecoupling and damping properties. If a connection is to be providedbetween saddle shell and support element, it is furthermore preferred toprovide said connection in the region of a saddle nose so that thedecoupling is further assured in the region of a saddle back or of aseat region of the saddle. According to the disclosure, the decouplingis especially advantageous in this region because this makes it possibleto tilt the saddle, especially in this region, about its longitudinalaxis to compensate pelvic movements.

The support element and/or the saddle shell are preferably produced frommore rigid material than the elastomer body. The use of plastic that maywhere necessary be fiber-reinforced is preferred for producing thesupport element and/or the saddle shell. The support element and/or thesaddle shell preferably have PP, PA6, or PA12 or are produced from thesematerials. The elasticity modulus of the support element and of thesaddle shell is preferably in the range of 1000 to 10000 MPa, preferably2500 to 6.000 MPa, and particularly preferably in the region of 3000 to5000 MPa. The use of PP is preferred (E modulus: 1100 to 1450 MPa), PPGF20 (E modulus: approx. 2900 MPa), and/or PA6 GF15 (E modulus: 4500 to6500 MPa).

In a preferred embodiment, the saddle frame is connected to the supportelement in that the saddle frame, in particular a forward connectingelement of the saddle frame, is connected to the saddle nose, that is,to a region of the saddle oriented forward in the direction of travel.It is moreover preferred that the saddle frame, in particular a rearconnecting element of the saddle frame, is connected to a saddle back,that is, a back of the support element oriented opposing the directionof travel. The saddle frame moreover preferably has two rails. Thelatter may be jointly connected to the support element in the forwardregion. Where necessary, the two saddle rails also merge in the forwardregion before connecting to the support element. The connection in theregion of the saddle back is made with two rails that are preferablyseparated. In this case, the rear connecting element has two separateconnecting parts.

Connecting the saddle frame to the support element in the region of thefront and back of the saddle improves comfort, since elastic deformationof the saddle is permitted between the two connecting regions. Even ifthis is lower than the possible deformation of the elastomer body due tothe greater rigidity of the support element, it is preferred that thesupport element is produced from a material that permits elasticdeformation with a conventional load while riding the bicycle so thatcomfort is further enhanced.

The support element preferably extends from the region of the saddlenose to the region of the saddle back and in particular represents aconnection between the forward receiving element and rear receivingelement of the saddle frame. Where necessary the saddle frame may alsobe connected to the saddle shell in the region of the saddle nose. Thisis in particular the case if no support element is provided in theregion of the seat post. The end of the support element that is forwardin the direction of travel may then be connected to the saddle shell orvia an intermediate element to the saddle shell, for example.

It is particularly preferred that the support element is embodied in onepiece. It is furthermore preferred that the support element extendslongitudinally across the entire length of the saddle, and in particularis connected to the saddle frame both at the saddle back and at thesaddle nose. Similar to a saddle shell, the support element may inparticular have regions having different elasticities. This may beattained by using different materials and/or different materialthicknesses. Because of this, in particular the elasticity or resilienceof the support element may be adjusted to the desired comfort. Inparticular bending of the support element about an axis transverse tothe longitude of the saddle may be varied in this way.

In one particularly preferred embodiment of the disclosure, theelastomer body extends completely across a seat region of the bicyclesaddle. The seat region of the bicycle saddle is the widened region ofthe saddle in which the perch bones of the user are arranged. It ismoreover preferred that the elastomer body extends completely across asaddle nose of the bicycle saddle and/or across a center region of thebicycle saddle. A combination of these embodiments is preferred, thatis, that the elastomer body extends across the seat region, the saddlenose, and the center region. It is preferred that the elastomer body isembodied in one piece.

In the seat region it is preferred that the elastomer body covers amajority of a lower side of the saddle shell, in particular the entirelower side of the saddle shell. The elastomer body covers at least 70%of the lower side of the saddle shell, preferably at least 80%, andparticularly preferably at least 90% of the lower side of the saddleshell. Moreover, it is preferred that the elastomer body covers asignificant portion, and especially completely covers, the lower side ofthe saddle shell in the region of the saddle nose, i.e., in the forwardregion of the bicycle saddle. In particular, the elastomer body coversthe lower side of the saddle shell by at least 70%, preferably at least80%, and particularly preferably at least 90% in the region of thesaddle nose. It is correspondingly preferred that the elastomer body isalso provided in the center region, i.e., in the region of the bicyclesaddle between the seat region and the saddle nose. It is also againpreferred that the elastomer body essentially covers, and in particularcompletely covers, the lower side of the saddle shell in the centerregion. It is preferred that the lower side of the saddle shell iscovered in the center region by in particular at least 70%, preferablyat least 80%, and particularly preferably at least 90%.

In another particularly preferred embodiment, the outer contour of theelastomer body essentially corresponds to the outer contour of thebicycle saddle, in particular the saddle shell. Where necessary thedimensions of the elastomer body are somewhat smaller than the outerdimensions of the bicycle saddle or saddle shell. For instance, theouter contour of the bicycle saddle is circumferentially 2 to 3 mm widerthan the outer contour of the elastomer body.

In another preferred embodiment, the saddle shell extends completelyacross a seat region of the bicycle saddle. Because of this the forcetransmitted by the perch bones onto the saddle may be absorbedparticularly well. Such a saddle shell is preferably to be connected toan elastomer body that likewise extends completely across the entireseat region.

In this case the elastomer body preferably covers the entire bicyclesaddle. Depending on the material used, it is preferred that theelastomer body has a thickness of 5 to 15 mm, especially 5 to 10 mm. Itis particularly preferred that in particular the elastomer body, andparticularly preferably its thickness and material, is selected suchthat lateral edge regions of the seat region may be moved downward by upto 5 mm by the load of the user.

Moreover, it is preferred that the saddle shell extends, in particularextends completely, across the saddle nose and/or the center region ofthe saddle. With a corresponding design of the elastomer body it isagain preferred that the outer contour of the saddle shell correspondsto that of the elastomer body. The saddle shell is in particularembodied in one piece and, in a particularly preferred embodiment,extends across the seat region, the center region, and the region of thesaddle nose. In this case it is again preferred that the elastomer bodyis likewise embodied in one piece and extends across these three regionsof the saddle. In a particularly preferred embodiment, an outer contourof the saddle shell corresponds to the outer contour of the elastomerbody.

The saddle shell, which in a preferred embodiment is made of harder ormore rigid material than the elastomer body, may, like the supportelement, have regions that are made of a different material and/or havea different thickness. For instance, as for the support element, it ispossible to provide rails, thickenings, and the like. In this way theelasticity properties may be varied in different regions and thus thecomfort of the bicycle saddle may be varied according to requirementsfor which the specific saddle model was produced.

In one particularly preferred embodiment of the inventive bicyclesaddle, the support element is arranged in the seat region and thesaddle shell in particular is provided opposite thereto.

The size of the support element in the seat region is at least 70% ofthe size of the saddle shell in the seat region, especially at least80%, and particularly preferred at least 90%. The size is in particularthe surface area of the mounted saddle projected onto a horizontalsurface.

The support element is preferably also arranged in the region of thesaddle nose, in particular opposing the saddle shell. The size of thesupport element in this region is again preferably 70% of the size ofthe saddle shell in the region of the saddle nose, in particular atleast 80%, and particularly preferably at least 90%.

Moreover, it is particularly preferred that the support element isespecially also arranged in the center region of the saddle, i.e. in theregion between the saddle nose and the seat region. The size of thesupport element is again preferably at least 70% of the size of thesaddle shell in this region, in particular at least 80%, andparticularly preferably at least 90%.

It is particularly preferred that the support element is embodied in ashell shape. The support element has in particular a seat region, acenter region, and a region of a saddle nose, wherein these threeregions are preferably a single piece so that a single combined supportelement is provided. The size of the support element is preferably atleast 70% of the size of the entire saddle shell, in particular at least80%, and particularly preferably at least 90%. These size figures shallalways be construed to refer to the corresponding projected surfacearea.

In one preferred embodiment, the support element has a support edgeelement that faces away from the saddle shell or that is orienteddownward when mounted. The edge element is preferably arranged in theseat region and/or in the center region and/or in the region of thesaddle nose and/or in the region of the saddle back. It is preferredthat the support edge element is arranged symmetrically relative to thelongitudinal axis of the bicycle saddle, i.e., opposite thereto. In oneparticularly preferred embodiment, the edge element is embodiedcontinuous, i.e. in particular without interruptions. The height of theedge element may vary in all of the various embodiments. The edgeelement is in particular 3 to 5 mm high. Where necessary, the edgeelement may also have different heights in different regions. In thisway it is possible, for example, to influence the rigidity of thesupport element in a simple manner.

In another preferred embodiment, the saddle shell has a shell edgeelement. The shell edge element is oriented toward the support element,or downward when the saddle is mounted. The shell edge element may beprovided in addition to or instead of a support edge element. The shelledge element is preferably arranged in the seat region and/or in thecenter region and/or in the region of the saddle nose and/or in theregion of the saddle back. It is preferred that the shell edge elementis embodied continuous. The height of the shell edge element may varyand in particular may be embodied differently in different regions. Theheight of the edge element is preferably in the range of 3 to 5 mm. Theshell edge element is preferably embodied such that it is symmetrical tothe longitudinal axis of the saddle, i.e. shell edge elements thatalways oppose one another are provided. The height of the shell edgeelement may vary. The elasticity properties of the saddle shell may bevaried because of this. In particular when both a support edge elementand a shell edge element are provided, it is preferred that thecorresponding regions of the individual edge elements are selected suchthat edge elements are provided that always mutually oppose one another.For instance, if a support edge element is provided in the seat region,it is preferred that a shell edge element is also provided in the seatregion. Moreover, it is preferred that mutually opposing edge elementsessentially have the same height.

In another preferred embodiment of the inventive bicycle saddle, ahandle element connected to the support edge element and/or the shelledge element is arranged in particular in the center region of thebicycle saddle. The handle element in particular assists in gripping thesaddle, for instance for when lifting or carrying the bicycle. Thehandle element is preferably embodied such that it bridges or covers atleast part of a region between the support element and the saddle shell.This prevents the elastomer body from being damaged, especially whencarrying or lifting the bicycle from the bicycle saddle. The handleelement is preferably arranged only on one of the two edge elements sothat the saddle shell is not connected to the support element via thehandle element. This might influence the damping properties of theelastomer body. If the saddle shell is connected to the support elementvia the handle element, the handle element is preferably made of anappropriately elastic material so that in any case there is a limitedeffect on the elasticity of the elastomer body or on the movability ofthe saddle shell relative to the support element.

It is particularly preferred that the handle element is connected to asupport edge element. If there is no support edge element, it ispreferred that the handle element is connected directly to the supportelement. This provides the opportunity to hold or lift the bicycle bythe support element without damaging the elastomer body. Thus no forcesact on the elastomer body when the bicycle is being carried. Preferablytwo handle elements, especially mutually opposing handle elements, arearranged in the center region of the bicycle saddle. In addition, such ahandle element may be also provided in the region of the saddle back,for instance. The handle element preferably extends across at least 50%of the center region, in particular across 75% of the center region,i.e. the dimensions of the center region in the longitudinal directionof the saddle.

In another preferred embodiment of the disclosure, the elastomer bodyhas an element that is preferably embodied integrally with the elastomerbody. The element extends at least partially between the support edgeelement and the shell edge element. The height of the element ispreferably equal to the height of the edge elements in this region. Ifonly one support edge element or only one shell edge element is providedin this region, the height of the element preferably equals the heightof this edge element.

The elastomer body that is arranged between the saddle shell and thesupport element is preferably securely connected to both elements. Theelastomer body covers at least 70% of the lower side of the saddleshell, in particular at least 80%, in particular at least 90%, andparticularly preferably at least 100%. It is furthermore preferred thatthe elastomer body covers at least 70% of a upper side of the supportelement, in particular at least 80%, and in particular at least 90%, andparticularly preferably at least 100%. This produces a good connectionbetween the saddle shell and the support element and realizes gooddamping properties.

In another particularly preferred embodiment, at least part of elastomerbody is visible when the bicycle saddle is viewed from the side. This ispossible in a simple manner especially depending on the design of theedge elements. This has the effect that the damping characteristics ofthe saddle are immediately visible to the user. The dual shell design ofthe saddle is also easily visible due to the provision of a saddle shelland an opposing support element.

It is moreover preferred that the inventive bicycle saddle is designedsuch that, when loaded, i.e., during use, the saddle shell is pivotablerelative to the support element about a longitudinal axis of the saddleextending in the direction of travel. In particular, the saddle shell isable to pivot relative to the support element by 2° to 10°, and,particularly preferably, by 2° to 5°.

In a particularly preferred refinement of the disclosure, the entiresurface area of the elastomer body is connected to the lower side of thesaddle shell. It is furthermore preferred that the entire surface areais connected to the support element.

In one preferred refinement of the disclosure, the saddle shell is notembodied flat, but instead has curved regions. In particular on theoutside of the saddle it is preferred that the saddle shell has adownwardly oriented edge. This improves the lateral rigidity of thesaddle. In such a saddle shell, a space is created under the saddleshell, in particular in the seat region. In one preferred embodiment, atleast part of the elastomer body is arranged in this space.

The disclosure furthermore relates to a method for producing a bicyclesaddle, in particular a bicycle saddle as described in the foregoing.The bicycle saddle is produced in that the saddle shell and the supportelement are placed into a mold, in particular into an injection die.They are placed such that there is a space between the saddle shell andthe support element, wherein the two elements are arranged opposing oneanother such that a upper side of the support element opposes the lowerside of the saddle shell. It is preferably obvious that the componentsare embodied symmetrical to a longitudinal axis of the saddle and arecorrespondingly arranged symmetrically. According to the disclosure, thematerial of the elastomer body is then added or injected between thesaddle shell and the support element. For this, there is immediatejoining of the material of the elastomer body to the lower side of thesaddle shell and to the upper side of the support element.

Then, or if necessary in the same production step, the saddle cushionmay also be applied or sprayed on.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure shall be described in greater detail in the followingusing a preferred embodiment, making reference to the attached drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of a bicycle saddle;

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the bicycle saddle depicted in FIG.1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic section along the line in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a schematic section along the line IV-IV in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a schematic section of an alternative embodiment along theline IV-IV in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic section of another alternative embodiment alongthe line IV-IV in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In a top view, a bicycle saddle has a seat region 10 to which a centerregion 12 is attached. The center region 12 transitions into the saddlenose 14. The saddle nose 14 is embodied narrow and the seat region 12 isembodied wide, so that the majority of the rider's weight is absorbed inthe seat region, especially via the rider's perch bones. The bicyclesaddle is embodied symmetrical to a center axis 16 that runslongitudinally.

A lower side of the bicycle saddle is connected to a saddle frame 18(FIG. 2). The depicted embodiment of the saddle frame 18 has inparticular two rails extending essentially to the left of the saddle. Ina center region 20 of the two rails of the saddle frame 18 the lattermay be connected to the saddle post via an attaching element.

The inventive bicycle saddle has a saddle shell 22 (FIG. 3) producedfrom a relatively rigid material. Arranged on an upper side 24 of thesaddle shell 22 is a saddle cushion 26. The latter may be covered by acover layer 28, as in the depicted exemplary embodiment.

An elastomer body 32 is arranged on a lower side 30 of the saddle shell22. In the exemplary embodiment depicted, the elastomer body 32 extendsacross the entire lower side 30 of the saddle shell 32 and is connectedthereto in particular across its entire surface area.

Provided opposing the saddle shell 22 is a support element 34. Theelastomer body 32 is thus arranged between the saddle shell 22 and thesupport element 34. The upper side 36 of the support element 34 and theelastomer body 32 are preferably also connected across the entiresurface 36. Since the saddle shell 22 is preferably not connected to thesupport element 34, or is preferably connected thereto only in theregion of the saddle nose 14, the saddle shell 22 is decoupled from thesupport element 34. Because of this, in a particularly preferredembodiment it is possible for the saddle shell 22 to be tilted, inparticular in the seat region 10, as indicated by the arrow 38 (FIG. 4).Thus, given a corresponding load, the saddle shell may give by up to 5mm, for instance, in the outer regions 40 of the seat region. Thispartially compensates a tilting movement of the pelvis while riding orthe saddle makes the tilting movement of the pelvis.

The saddle frame 18 is connected to the support element 34 in the regionof the saddle nose 14 via a forward connecting element 42. The saddleframe 18 is furthermore [ . . . ] via two rear connecting parts 44 to asaddle back 46 that is connected in particular to the seat region inopposition to a direction of travel 48 (FIG. 1).

In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 4, the outer edge region 40 of thesaddle shell 22 is also arranged opposing the support element 34 at adistance. Because of this, the elastomer body 32 is visible to the userin a side view (arrow 46).

In a first alternative embodiment (FIG. 5), the support element has apreferably continuous support edge element 48. In the depictedembodiment, the saddle shell 22 also has an in particular continuousshell edge element 50. When mounted, both edge elements 48, 58 facedownward (arrow 52). In the exemplary embodiment depicted, an element 54of the elastomer body 32 is arranged between the two edge elements 48,50. Similarly only one of the two edge elements 48, 50 may be provided.In particular, only parts may be provided with edge elements in thelongitudinal direction. In particular, if the edge element 50 is notprovided or at least is not provided in some regions, the elastomer body32, in particular the element 54 of the elastomer body 32, is easilyvisible to the user in a side view (arrow 46).

In another alternative embodiment of the disclosure (FIG. 6), edgeregions 48, 50 corresponding to the embodiment depicted in FIG. 5 areprovided, wherein these are not necessarily continuous. In addition, inthe exemplary embodiment depicted a handle element 56 is embodied withthe edge region 48 of the support element 34, in particular is embodiedintegrally with the edge element 48 and the support element 34. Thehandle element 46 runs essentially horizontally and covers the element54 of the elastomer body 32. This permits the saddle to be graspedeasily, for example for carrying the bicycle, wherein it is assured thatthe elastomer body is not loaded and is certainly not damaged by this.

The handle element 56 is preferably provided in the center region 12 andin a particularly preferred embodiment projects into the seat region 10.The handle element 56 may in particular also be embodied continuous.

What is claimed is:
 1. A bicycle saddle, comprising: a saddle shell; aseat cushion connected to an upper side of the saddle shell; a supportelement that is connected to a saddle frame for connecting to a seatpost; and an elastomer body arranged between the support element and thesaddle shell.
 2. The bicycle saddle according to claim 1, wherein theelastomer body is elastically deformable so that a relative movementbetween the support element and the saddle shell is permitted.
 3. Thebicycle saddle according to claim 1, wherein the support element and/orthe saddle shell are produced from more rigid material than theelastomer body.
 4. The bicycle saddle according to claim 1, wherein theelastomer body comprises thermoplastic polyurethane or is thermoplasticpolyurethane.
 5. The bicycle saddle according to claim 1, wherein theelastomer body comprises ethylene vinyl acetate or is ethylene vinylacetate.
 6. The bicycle saddle according to claim 1, wherein the saddleframe has a forward connecting element that is connected to the supportelement in a region of a saddle nose.
 7. The bicycle saddle according toclaim 1, wherein the saddle frame has a rear connecting element that isconnected to the support element in a region of a saddle back.
 8. Thebicycle saddle according to claim 1, wherein the support element isarranged in a seat region.
 9. The bicycle saddle according to claim 8,wherein the support element in the seat region has a size that is atleast 70% of a size of the saddle shell.
 10. The bicycle saddleaccording to claim 1, wherein the support element is arranged in aregion of a saddle nose.
 11. The bicycle saddle according to claim 10,wherein the support element in the region of the saddle nose has a sizethat is at least 70% of a size of the saddle shell.
 12. The bicyclesaddle according to claim 1, wherein the support element is arranged ina center region between a seat region and a region of a saddle nose. 13.The bicycle saddle according to claim 1, wherein the support element ina center region has a size that is at least 70% of a size of the saddleshell.
 14. The bicycle saddle according to claim 1, wherein the supportelement extends from a region of a saddle nose to a region of the saddleback.
 15. The bicycle saddle according to claim 1, wherein the supportelement is embodied in a single piece.
 16. The bicycle saddle accordingto claim 1, wherein the elastomer body extends completely across a seatregion of the bicycle saddle.
 17. The bicycle saddle according to claim1, wherein the elastomer body extends across a region of a saddle noseof the bicycle saddle.
 18. The bicycle saddle according to claim 1,wherein the elastomer body extends completely across a center region ofthe bicycle saddle.
 19. The bicycle saddle according to claim 1, whereinthe elastomer body has an outer contour that corresponds to an outercontour of the bicycle saddle.
 20. The bicycle saddle according to claim1, wherein the saddle shell extends completely across a seat region ofthe bicycle saddle.
 21. The bicycle saddle according to claim 1, whereinthe saddle shell extends completely across a region of a saddle nose ofthe bicycle saddle.
 22. The bicycle saddle according to claim 1, whereinthe saddle shell extends completely across a center region of thebicycle saddle.
 23. The bicycle saddle according to claim 1, wherein thesaddle shell has an outer contour that corresponds to an outer contourof the bicycle saddle.
 24. The bicycle saddle according to claim 1,wherein the elastomer body has an entire surface area that is connectedto the saddle shell.
 25. The bicycle saddle according to claim 1,wherein the support element has a support edge element that faces awayfrom the saddle shell or faces downward.
 26. The bicycle saddleaccording to claim 25, wherein the support edge element is provided in aseat region and/or in a center region and/or in a region of a saddlenose.
 27. The bicycle saddle according to claim 25, wherein the supportedge element is continuous.
 28. The bicycle saddle according to claim25, wherein the saddle shell has a shell edge element facing toward thesupport element or downward.
 29. The bicycle saddle according to claim28, wherein the shell edge element is arranged in a seat region and/orin a center region and/or in a region of a saddle nose.
 30. The bicyclesaddle according to claim 28, wherein the shell edge element iscontinuous.
 31. The bicycle saddle according to claim 28, furthercomprising a handle element that is connected to the support edgeelement and/or the shell edge element in a center region.
 32. Thebicycle saddle according to claim 31, wherein the handle element extendsacross at least 50% of the center region.
 33. The bicycle saddleaccording to claim 31, wherein the handle element bridges an intervalbetween the saddle shell and the support element.
 34. The bicycle saddleaccording to claim 28, wherein the elastomer body has an element, atleast part of which is arranged between the support edge element and theshell edge element.
 35. The bicycle saddle according to claim 1, whereinthe elastomer body covers at least 70% of a lower side of the saddleshell.
 36. The bicycle saddle according to claim 1, wherein theelastomer body covers at least 70% of an upper side of the supportelement.
 37. The bicycle saddle according to claim 1, wherein at leastpart of the elastomer body is visible when the bicycle saddle is viewedfrom a side.
 38. The bicycle saddle according to claim 1, wherein, whenloaded, the saddle shell is able to pivot relative to the supportelement by an angle of 2° to 10° about a longitudinal axis extending ina longitudinal direction.
 39. A method for producing the bicycle saddleaccording to claim 1, in which the saddle shell and the support elementare arranged at an interval to one another in a mold, and a material ofthe elastomer body is added between the saddle shell and the supportelement.
 40. The method for producing the bicycle saddle according toclaim 39, in which method the saddle cushion is applied to an upper sideof the saddle shell in the mold.